Collapsible Wardrobe and Method

ABSTRACT

A collapsible wardrobe includes a pair of doors hingedly connected to a pair of folding side portions, fixed side sections, and top and bottom floors pivotally disposed relative to the fixed side portions. The wardrobe is reconfigurable between a collapsed orientation and an expanded orientation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application is based on U.S. provisional application Ser. No.61/899,326, filed Nov. 4, 2013, which application is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wardrobe reconfigurable between acollapsed orientation and an expanded orientation, and a method ofreconfiguring the wardrobe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wardrobes for storing clothing and other items, and in particularclothing that is typically hung from bars or hangers, is a convenienceor even necessity for organizing such clothing and maintaining theclothing and other stored items in a clean, orderly manner. Wardrobesare particularly helpful in structures or rooms that do not includebuilt-in closets, or that do not provide sufficient closet space (e.g.,such as older structures, temporary living structures, structuresincluding rooms not originally intended as living space, etc.).

In addition, wardrobes are helpful as a storage supplement oralternative to built-in closets in rooms or spaces that were notdesigned solely for use as living or sleeping quarters. For example, insettings in which rooms may be utilized as a living area for an occupantfor a certain limited period of time and thereafter repurposed foranother use (e.g., such as supplemental or temporary studentaccommodations at universities and colleges, temporary accommodationsfor military personal abroad, temporary accommodations for individualsduring conventions or other events, etc.), wardrobes for storing largeamounts of clothing or other items are needed.

However, wardrobes are relatively large and bulky, and often difficultto move or install, particular in smaller rooms or spaces, or in suchrooms or spaces that are only accessible by narrow corridors, stairways,etc. Moreover, conventional wardrobes are difficult and expensive tomanufacture, transport and store due to their bulky size. As a result,conventional wardrobes are typically relatively expensive for theconsumer.

Most conventional light weight or folding wardrobe designs include aflexible fabric covering disposed over a metal frame. Thus, such designsare similar to large hanging storage bags or racks, and fail to providea finished appearance and solid outer surface. Other conventionaldesigns attempt to decrease wardrobe size during storage, transport andinstallation by providing for a completely disassembled unit. While somespace savings are achieved with such disassembled units, assembly of theunit by the end user is difficult and time consuming, and often requiresa skilled carpenter.

Other design attempts provide for bulky metal structures havingtelescoping or collapsing side plates. However, the front portions anddoors of such collapsing designs do not fold against the side plates,and therefore the resulting structure is extremely bulky, and requiresextensive hinge mechanisms typically extending along the entire lengthor height of the unit. Such collapsible designs are expensive tomanufacture and ship, and do not present a commercially viable andappealing design for many consumers.

Other designs provide for a series of hinged panels. However, suchconventional hinged designs do not fold into a uniform ‘stack’ of panelswhen folded. The folded or detached stack of panels is not retainedwithin an overall footprint of the unit. For example, the door or sidepanels often extend outwardly from the footprint of the rear panel whenfolded in a stack. As a result, such conventional hinged panel designsare prone to being damaged, particularly during storage and transport.Thus, such designs have not proven practical or economically feasible.

Accordingly, there is a need for a wardrobe unit that overcomes some orall of the above-noted problems, and that is practical and aestheticallyappealing to consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a collapsible wardrobe for storingclothing, blankets, household or business items, personal effects, etc.,which is comprised of solid wood, metal or composite components, andwhich is reconfigurable between a collapsed orientation and an expandedorientation.

A collapsible wardrobe according to an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a rectangular frame comprising a top section, abottom section, and first and second opposing side sections. The framedefines an interior cavity. A first side panel is pivotally connected tothe first side section, and a second side panel is pivotally connectedto the second side section. A first door is pivotally connected to thefirst side panel, wherein the first door has a width substantially equalto or less than a width of the first side panel. A second door ispivotally connected to the second side panel, wherein the second doorhas a width substantially equal to or less than a width of the secondside panel. The first and second doors are pivotal about 270° from aclosed position extending across the interior cavity to an open positionengaging the first and second side panels. The first side panel and thefirst door are collectively movable from the open position to acollapsed orientation extending across the interior cavity. Similarly,the second side panel and the second door are collectively movable fromthe open position to a collapsed orientation extending across theinterior cavity.

In some implementations, the wardrobe includes a top floor pivotallyconnected to the top section. The top floor is pivotal between a firstposition extending outwardly from and substantially coplanar with thetop section, and a second position extending downwardly from the topsection and into the interior cavity. The wardrobe may also include abottom floor pivotally connected to the bottom section. The bottom flooris pivotal between a first position extending outwardly from andsubstantially coplanar with the bottom section, and a second positionextending upwardly from the bottom section and into the interior cavity.

In some implementations, the wardrobe includes one or more shelvesdisposed within the interior cavity of the rectangular frame andextending between the first and second side sections. Each shelfpreferably includes a rear fixed portion coupled to the first and secondside sections, and a front portion pivotally connected to the rear fixedportion.

The wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume when thefirst and second side panels are disposed in an open position, and asecond volume less than the first volume when the first and second sidepanels are disposed in a collapsed orientation. In some embodiments, thesecond volume is no more than about ½ of the first volume.

A collapsible wardrobe according to another embodiment includes arectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a firstside section and an opposing second side section. A first side panel ispivotally connected to the first side section, and a second side panelis pivotally connected to the second side section. A first door ispivotally connected to the first side panel. The first door has a widthsubstantially equal to or less than a width of the first side panel. Asecond door is pivotally connected to the second side panel. The seconddoor has a width substantially equal to or less than a width of thesecond side panel. Each of the first side panel and first door, and thesecond side panel and second door, are collectively movable between anexpanded orientation so that the wardrobe defines an interior cavityhaving a first volume, and a collapsed orientation so that the wardrobedefines an interior cavity having a second volume which is at leastabout ¼ of the first volume. In some implementations, the second volumeis between about ¼ and about ½ of the first volume.

In some implementations, each of the doors is pivotal about 270° betweena closed position extending across the interior cavity and an openposition engaging a corresponding one of the folding side panels. Inaddition, each of the folding side panels preferably has a width atleast about twice the width of a corresponding one of the fixed sidesections.

A collapsible wardrobe according to another embodiment includes a framecomprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and anopposing second side section. The frame defines an interior cavity. Afirst side panel is pivotally connected to the first side section, and asecond side panel is pivotally connected to the second side section. Afirst door is pivotally connected to the first side panel, and a seconddoor is pivotally connected to the second side panel. The first andsecond doors are pivotal about 270° from a closed position extendingacross the interior cavity to an open position engaging the first andsecond side panels, respectively. Each of the connected first side paneland first door, and connected second side panel and second door, arecollectively movable from the open position to a collapsed orientationextending across the interior cavity. The wardrobe defines an interiorcavity having a first volume when the first and second side panels aredisposed in the open position, and a second volume when the first andsecond side panels are disposed in the collapsed orientation. In someimplementations, the second volume is at least about ⅕ of the firstvolume. Preferably, the second volume is between about ¼ and about ½ ofthe first volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a collapsible wardrobe accordingto an embodiment of the present invention and shown in an expandedorientation.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 5 is another front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobewith the doors in a partially open position.

FIG. 6 is another rear perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 7 is another front view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe and shownin a collapsed orientation.

FIG. 9 is another rear perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 10 is another bottom view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 11 is another front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobeand showing removal of door hardware and fasteners.

FIG. 12 is another front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobeand showing the doors disposed in fully open positions.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe andshowing removal of a top panel.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe andshowing the top panel removed, and also showing removal of shelf pinsand front toe kick fasteners.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the collapsible wardrobe according to anembodiment of the present invention, and showing the top panel removedand disengagement of cam locks.

FIG. 16 is another front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobedisposed in a partially collapsed orientation.

FIG. 17 is another front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobedisposed in a fully collapsed orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terms “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,”“height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,”“inner,” “outer” and the like, as may be used herein, merely describepoints or portions of reference and do not limit the present inventionto any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as“first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number ofportions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, anddo not limit the present invention to any particular configuration ororientation.

A collapsible wardrobe 5 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-17. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2,wardrobe 5 includes a top portion 10, a bottom portion 12, a left sideportion 14, a right side portion 16, a front portion 18, and a backportion 20. The wardrobe is configurable between an expanded orientationO1 (as shown in FIG. 1) and a collapsed orientation O2 (as shown in FIG.8).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 13, the top portion 10 includes a top panel 22removably disposed against a top floor 24 and a fixed top section 26.The top panel 22 may be secured to the top floor 24 and/or the fixed topsection 26 by fasteners F (e.g., such as wood screws, pins, bolts,etc.). The top floor 24 is pivotally or hingedly connected to the fixedtop section 26. The top floor 24 has a width L1 and the fixed topsection 26 has a width L2 less than width L1. In some implementations,the length of L1 is preferably at least about twice the length of widthL2, more preferably the length of L1 is between about 2 and 4 times thelength of width L2. The length of width L2 is preferably at least about¼ the length of width L1, more preferably the length of width L2 is atleast about ¼ to about ½ of the length of width L1.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the bottom portion 12 includes a bottomfloor 28 and a fixed bottom section 30. The bottom floor 28 is pivotallyor hingedly connected to the fixed bottom section 30. The bottom floor28 has a width L3 and the fixed bottom section 30 has a width L4 lessthan width L3. In some implementations, the length of width L3 ispreferably at least about twice the length of width L4, more preferablythe length of width L3 is between about 2 and 4 times the length ofwidth L4. The length of width L4 is preferably at least about ¼ thelength of width L3, more preferably the length of width L4 is at leastabout ¼ to about ½ of the length of width L3. In some implementations,L1 of top floor 24 is substantially equal to width L3 of bottom floor 28and/or the width L2 of fixed top section 26 is substantially equal tothe width L4 of fixed bottom section 30.

A front toe kick 32 is disposed beneath the bottom floor 28 and adjacentthe front portion 18 of the wardrobe 5, as shown in FIG. 4. The fronttoe kick 32 extends between the left and right side portions 14, 16,with opposite ends thereof secured to the left and right side panels 34,38 via fasteners and/or brackets (e.g., such as L-brackets), as bestshown in FIG. 4. The front toe kick 32 provides a finished look to thewardrobe 5, and also maintains the left and right side portions 14, 16in the expanded orientation O1 (and a fixed position relative to eachother given the left and right side panels 34, 38 are secured to thefront toe kick 32). In addition, the hingedly connected bottom floor 28is supported by the front toe kick 32 in a substantially horizontalorientation. The left and right side portions 14, 16 are also maintainedin their expanded orientation O1 via the brackets and top panel 22 (asshown in FIG. 13).

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 10, first and second rear toe kicks 33, 35 arealso preferably provided. Rear toe kicks 33, 35 are disposed beneath,and secured or adjacent to, the fixed bottom section 30 and adjacent therear portion 20 of the wardrobe. The rear toe kicks 33, 35 extendbetween the left and right side portions 14, 16, with opposite endsthereof secured to the left and right fixed side sections 36, 40. Therear toe kicks 33, 35 are substantially coplanar with a support surface(e.g., the floor or ground) when the wardrobe 5 is disposed in anupright position thereon, and also permit the wardrobe 5 to bemaintained and properly supported in an upright or ‘standing’ positionon the support surface when the wardrobe 5 is disposed in its collapsedposition O2 (as shown in FIGS. 8-10).

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 13, the left side portion 14 includesa left side panel 34 and a fixed side section 36. The left side panel 34is pivotally or hingedly connected to the fixed side section 36.Similarly, the right side portion 16 includes a right side panel 38 anda fixed side section 40. The right side panel 38 is pivotally orhingedly connected to the corresponding fixed side section 40.

The left and right side panels 34, 38 have a width L5 and the fixed sidesections 36, 40 have a width L6 less than width L5. In someimplementations, the length of width L5 is preferably at least abouttwice the length of width L6, more preferably the length of width L5 isbetween about 2 and 4 times the length of width L6. The length of widthL6 is preferably at least about ¼ the length of width L5, morepreferably the length of width L6 is at least about ¼ to about ½ of thelength of width L5. In some implementations, width L5 is substantiallyequal to widths L1 or L3 and/or width L6 is substantially equal towidths L2 or L4. Upper edges 42, 44 of the left and right side portions14, 16 are aligned with a perimeter or edges of the top panel 22 (asshown in FIG. 13), and may be releasably attached thereto by fastenersor pins (e.g., such as by wood dowels 46 extending into correspondinglyaligned holes provided in the top panel 22 and upper edges 42, 44 of theleft and right side portions 14, 16), as shown in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the front portion 18 includes a first door48 pivotally or hingedly connected (e.g., as shown by hinges 52) to afront edge of the left side panel 34, and a second door 50 pivotally orhingedly connected to a front edge of the right side panel 38. Each ofthe first and second doors 48, 50 may include a door pull 54 fastened toan outer surface thereof, such as by screws, pins, adhesive, etc. Thedoor pulls 54 may extend outwardly from the outer surfaces of the firstor second doors 48, 50, or alternatively they may be recessed from theouter surface. Alternatively, a portion of the outer surfaces of thefirst and second doors 48, 50 may be configured for permitting a user tograsp and open the doors, as known in the art. Door 48 preferably has awidth L7 about equal to or less than width L5 of left side panel 34, anddoor 50 has a width L8 about equal to or less than width L5 of rightside panel 38, so that doors 48, 50. Preferably, width L7 of door 48 isequal to width L8 of door 50.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, the back portion 20 includes a perimeteror edges 56 secured to correspondingly aligned edges of the fixed topand bottom sections 26, 30 and the fixed side sections 36, 40. Thus, thetop and bottom portions 10, 12, the left and right side portions 14, 16,and the front and back portions 18, 20 of the wardrobe 5 form agenerally rectangular interior cavity 58 (shown in FIG. 7) accessiblethrough the first and second doors 48, 50.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, a shelf 60 may be provided within theinterior cavity 58 of the wardrobe 5. The shelf 60 includes a rear fixedportion (not shown) connected to the back portion 20 and/or to the leftand right fixed side sections 36, 40, and a front portion 64 pivotallyconnected to the rear fixed portion (e.g., such as via hinges). The rearfixed portion of shelf 60 preferably has a width corresponding to widthL2 of fixed top section 26, and front portion 64 of shelf 60 has a widthcorresponding to width L1 of top floor 24. A front edge 66 of the frontportion 64 of the shelf 60 is adjacent or proximate to the first andsecond doors 48, 50 when the doors 48, 50 are disposed in their closedposition and the shelf 60 is disposed in a substantially horizontalorientation. In one implementation, the shelf 60 is maintained in thesubstantially horizontal orientation via L-brackets or other fasteners68, whereby each fastener 68 (e.g., L-bracket and corresponding washer,screw, etc.) may be secured to the shelf 60 and corresponding innersurfaces of the left and right side portions 14, 16. In anotherimplementation, a plurality of shelf pins may be removably securedwithin correspondingly configured holes within inner surfaces of theleft and right side portions 14, 16, so that an undersurface of theshelf 60 rests upon the shelf pins and the shelf 60 is supported in itshorizontal orientation.

Similarly, the top floor 24 is maintained in a substantially horizontalorientation via L-brackets or fasteners (e.g., L-brackets), whereby thefasteners are secured to the top floor 24 and corresponding innersurfaces of the left and right side portions 14, 16. Alternatively,shelf pins may be provided for supporting the top floor 24 in itshorizontal position, such as described above, so that the undersurfaceof the top floor 24 rests upon corresponding shelf pins and the topfloor 24 is supported in a horizontal position.

In one embodiment, the top floor 24, shelf 60 and bottom floor 28 aresecured in their horizontal orientations via cam inserts or locks 70,shown in FIG. 15. For example, a first pair of cam locks 70 may beprovided along and within a left side edge of the top floor 24, and asecond pair of cam locks may be provided along and within a right sideedge of the top floor 24. The cam locks 70 may be rotated or activatedto engage correspondingly positioned slots or receiving portionsdisposed in the left and right side portions 14, 16, thereby releasablylocking the top floor 24 in its horizontal position. Similarly, firstand second pairs of cam locks 70 may be provided along and within sideedges of the shelf 60 and/or along and within the side edges of thebottom floor 28, which may likewise be activated to engage additionalcorrespondingly positioned slots or receiving portions disposed in theleft and right side portions 14, 16. Further, when activated anddisposed in their locked positions, the cam locks 70 further ensure thatthe left and right side portions 14, 16 are maintained in the expandedorientation O1.

Reconfiguration of the wardrobe 5 from its expanded orientation O1 toits collapsed orientation O2 will be described with reference to FIGS.11-17. As shown in FIG. 11, the first and second doors 48, 50 arepivoted toward their open position, and their door pulls 54 (if providedand/or extending outwardly from the exterior surface of doors 48, 50)are removed, such as by removing any screws or fasteners F used tosecure the door pulls 54. The first and second doors 48, 50 are thenpivoted to a fully open position, as shown in FIG. 12. From their closedposition (such as shown in FIG. 1), the doors 48, 50 are pivotedapproximately 270° to their fully open position, so that the first andsecond doors 48, 50 are adjacent and/or engaging outwardly disposedsurfaces of the left and right side panels 34, 38 of the left and rightside portions 14, 16, respectively. Preferably, doors 48, 50 areengaging left and right side panels 34, 38, respectively, and do notextend across or substantially engage either of left and right fixedside sections 36, 40 (given widths L7, L8 of doors 48, 50 are aboutequal to or less than widths L5 of left and right side panels 34, 38).

Referring to FIG. 13, the top panel 22 is then unsecured from top floor24 and the fixed top section 26 by removing the associated fasteners orpins (e.g., dowels 46), and detached and lifted away from the upperedges of the left and right side portions 14, 16 (thereby also releasingthe fasteners or pins (e.g., dowels 46) from the aligned holes therein.Next, the brackets or fasteners (e.g., L-brackets, shelf pins, or othersuch securing mechanisms) are removed from beneath the shelf 60 and thetop floor 24. The front toe kick 32 is also unsecured from the left andright side portions 14, 16, such as by removing the fasteners F and/orL-bracket from the left and right side portions 14, 16, as shown in FIG.14. If provided, the cam locks 70 are rotated to their unlocked ordeactivated positions, and are thus disengaged from the correspondingslots in the left and right side portions 14, 16, as shown in FIG. 15.

Any components that have been removed or detached from the structure(including the door pulls 54, the top panel 22 and any associatedfasteners and/or pins) may be placed inside the interior cavity 58 ofthe wardrobe 5, such as against or adjacent the back portion 20. Asshown in FIG. 16, the top floor 24 is then pivoted downwardly at leastabout 90° relative to the fixed top section 26 and toward the bottomportion 12. Similarly, the front portion 64 of the shelf 60 is pivoteddownwardly at least about 90° relative to the rear fixed portion 62thereof, and toward the bottom portion 12. The bottom floor 28 ispivoted upwardly more than 90° relative to the fixed bottom section 30(to allow for clearance of the front toe kick 32 extending outwardlytherefrom when the doors 48, 50 and left and right side panels 34, 38are folded inwardly), and toward the top portion 10. The left and rightside panels 34, 38 and first and second doors 48, 50 are then folded orpivoted inwardly toward the interior cavity 58 and against or adjacentthe folded top panel 24, shelf 60 and bottom floor 28, until thewardrobe 5 is disposed in its collapsed orientation O2, as shown inFIGS. 8-10 and 17. When disposed in its collapsed orientation O2, theleft and right side panels 34 and first and second doors 48, 50 do notextend outwardly beyond the footprint of rear portion 20 of the wardrobe5. Thus, the wardrobe 5 has a rectangular or box-like configuration whendisposed in its collapsed orientation O2, thereby minimizes thepossibility of damage to any components thereof, such as during storageor transport.

Thus, the collapsible wardrobe 5 may be easily and quickly reconfiguredfrom its expanded orientation O1 to its collapsed orientation O2. Inorder to reconfigure the wardrobe 5 back to its expanded orientation O1from its collapsed orientation O2, the above-described steps areperformed in reverse order. Because the wardrobe 5 may be readilyreconfigured between its expanded and collapsed orientations, it may bemore easily transported, stored and installed.

For example, when the wardrobe 5 is disposed in its collapsedorientation O2, its depth and volume is preferably reduced by about ½,more preferably by about ⅓, more preferably by about ¼ or more (e.g., ⅕or ⅙) as compared to its depth and volume when disposed in its expandedorientation O1. Such a reduction in size and overall volumesubstantially reduces transportation and storage costs (which areclosely associated with total required volume). In addition, by readilyreducing the size and dimensions of the wardrobe 5, it may be moreeasily moved into, through or out of relatively small corridors, rooms,stairs, etc., that would otherwise be inaccessible or difficult tomaneuver when the wardrobe 5 is in its expanded orientation O1. Once thewardrobe 5 is disposed at its desired location, it may be readilyreconfigured to its expanded orientation O1, thus providing a full sizefurniture wardrobe unit formed from solid materials (e.g., such as woodor wood composite components), which is much more stable, secure andaesthetically appealing as compared to conventional designs (e.g., suchas conventional designs having a flexible or fabric covering stretchedover a frame, or having a bulky metal locker-style design with hingesrunning the length of the sides and a fixed front face configuration).

While the invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodifications and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, theprinciples of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice within theart to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to thefeatures hereinbefore set forth.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible wardrobe, comprising: a rectangularframe comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side sectionand an opposing second side section, said rectangular frame defining aninterior cavity; a first side panel pivotally connected to said firstside section; a second side panel pivotally connected to said secondside section; a first door pivotally connected to said first side panel,said first door having a width substantially equal to or less than awidth of said first side panel; and a second door pivotally connected tosaid second side panel, said second door having a width substantiallyequal to or less than a width of said second side panel, wherein saidfirst and second doors are pivotal about 270° from a closed positionextending across said interior cavity to an open position engaging saidfirst and second side panels, and wherein said first side panel and saidfirst door are collectively movable from said open position to acollapsed orientation extending across said interior cavity, and saidsecond side panel and said second door are collectively movable fromsaid open position to a collapsed orientation extending across saidinterior cavity.
 2. The wardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a topfloor pivotally connected to said top section.
 3. The wardrobe of claim2, wherein said top floor is pivotal between a first position extendingoutwardly from and substantially coplanar with said top section, and asecond position extending downwardly from said top section and into saidinterior cavity.
 4. The wardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a bottomfloor pivotally connected to said bottom section.
 5. The wardrobe ofclaim 4, wherein said bottom floor is pivotal between a first positionextending outwardly from and substantially coplanar with said bottomsection, and a second position extending upwardly from said bottomsection and into said interior cavity.
 6. The wardrobe of claim 1,further comprising a shelf disposed within said interior cavity of saidrectangular frame and extending between said first and second sidesections.
 7. The wardrobe of claim 6, wherein said shelf comprises arear fixed portion coupled to said first and second side sections, and afront portion pivotally connected to said rear fixed portion.
 8. Thewardrobe of claim 1, wherein said interior cavity defines a first volumewhen said first and second side panels are disposed in said openposition, and said interior cavity defines a second volume less thansaid first volume when said first and second side panels are disposed insaid collapsed orientation.
 9. The wardrobe of claim 8, wherein saidsecond volume is no more than about ½ of said first volume.
 10. Thewardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a top panel removably securableto said top section.
 11. A collapsible wardrobe, comprising: arectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a firstside section and an opposing second side section; a first side panelpivotally connected to said first side section; a second side panelpivotally connected to said second side section; a first door pivotallyconnected to said first side panel, said first door having a widthsubstantially equal to or less than a width of said first side panel;and a second door pivotally connected to said second side panel, saidsecond door having a width substantially equal to or less than a widthof said second side panel, wherein each of said first side panel andsaid first door, and said second side panel and said second door, arecollectively movable between an expanded orientation so that saidwardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume and acollapsed orientation so that said wardrobe defines an interior cavityhaving a second volume at least about ¼ of said first volume.
 12. Thewardrobe of claim 11, wherein said second volume is between about ¼ andabout ½ of said first volume.
 13. The wardrobe of claim 11, furthercomprising a top floor pivotally connected to said fixed top section.14. The wardrobe of claim 11, further comprising a bottom floorpivotally connected to said fixed bottom section.
 15. The wardrobe ofclaim 11, wherein each of said doors are pivotal about 270° between aclosed position extending across said interior cavity and an openposition engaging a corresponding one of said folding side panels. 16.The wardrobe of claim 15, wherein each of said folding side panels has awidth at least about twice a width of a corresponding one of said fixedside sections.
 17. A collapsible wardrobe, comprising: a rectangularframe comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side sectionand an opposing second side section, said frame defining an interiorcavity; a first side panel pivotally connected to said first sidesection; a second side panel pivotally connected to said second sidesection; a first door pivotally connected to said first side panel; anda second door pivotally connected to said second side panel, whereinsaid first and second doors are pivotal about 270° from a closedposition extending across said interior cavity to an open positionengaging said first and second side panels, respectively, and whereineach of said first side panel and said first door, and said second sidepanel and said second door, are collectively movable from said openposition to a collapsed orientation extending across said interiorcavity.
 18. The wardrobe of claim 17, wherein said wardrobe defines aninterior cavity having a first volume when said first and second sidepanels are disposed in said open position, and said wardrobe defines aninterior cavity having a second volume when said first and second sidepanels are disposed in said collapsed orientation, said second volume atleast about ⅕ of said first volume.
 19. The wardrobe of claim 18,wherein said second volume is between about ¼ and about ½ of said firstvolume.